Racoon Dogs
2023 MAR 22
Preliminary >
Environment and Ecology > Biodiversity > Species in news
Why in news?
- A report has suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 virus could have originated in raccoon dogs which were sold illegally at the Wuhan (China) wet market.
About Racoon Dogs:
- Raccoon dogs are neither dogs nor raccoons. They belong to the canid family and are closely related to foxes.
- They are the only canids that hibernate during the winter.
- They are omnivores and relish food sources such as rodents and berries
- Raccoon dogs are originally from East Asia and are commonly found in parts of China, Korea and Japan, where they are known as tanuki.
Add ons:
- They are also found in Europe, where they were first brought in by fur traders in the 1920s.
- Today, raccoon dogs are considered to be a threat to the local ecosystem in Europe and an EU report declared them “one of the most successful alien carnivores in Europe”.
PRACTICE QUESTION:
With reference to ‘Racoon Dogs’, consider the following statements:
1. They hibernate during the winter
2. They endemic to Himalayan foothills
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer